GENERAL MANAGER RECRUITMENT BROCHURE Castaic Lake

PHOTO BY LORI BENNETT
CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY
Santa Clarita, CA
GENERAL MANAGER
RECRUITMENT BROCHURE
Castaic Lake Water Agency
CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY
Santa Clarita, CA
of the Earl Schmidt Intake Pump Station, the Earl Schmidt Filtration Plant,
the Rio Vista Intake Pump Station, the Rio Vista Water Treatment Plant,
the Sand Canyon Pump Station, the Sand Canyon Reservoir, the
Perchlorate Treatment Facility, and a system of pipelines and ancillary
facilities which convey treated water to the four retailers.
CLWA has a water acquisition agreement with the Buena Vista Water
Storage District (Buena Vista) and the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage
District (Rosedale-Rio Bravo) in Kern County. Under this Program,
11,000 AF of high flow Kern River water is annually delivered to CLWA at
the California Aqueduct in Kern County. This water is then conveyed
through the State Water Project to Castaic Lake.
Since 2000, CLWA has worked hard to establish a diverse water portfolio.
The Agency has five groundwater banking accounts in three separate
programs. Two accounts are in the Semitropic Water Storage District
Groundwater Banking Program. These accounts are short-term, ten-year
accounts that were extended an additional ten years each. Both accounts
contain excess SWP Table A water that must be delivered to the Agency
(or another Agency groundwater account) prior to the end of the
agreements. The Agency initiated participation in the Rosedale-Rio Bravo
Water Storage District Groundwater Banking Program. This program
allows the storage of the Agency’s SWP Table A amount and other
imported supplies. The Agency implemented a two-for-one exchange
with the Rosedale-Rio Bravo Water Storage District, whereby CLWA can
recover one AF of water for each two AF banked. The Agency has also
implemented a two-for-one exchange with the West Kern Water District
in Kern County. Total water stored in the banking programs is 140,000 AF.
THE AGENCY
The Castaic Lake Water Agency’s (CLWA’s) mission is to provide reliable,
quality water at a reasonable cost to the Santa Clarita Valley. To fulfill this
mission, the Agency has developed a capital improvement plan that is
designed to increase the Santa Clarita Valley’s overall water supply
portfolio reliability by (1) acquiring and developing imported sources,
(2) participating in a variety of water banking, storage and conjunctive
use projects, and (3) developing a water recycling program.
CLWA is a public water wholesaler that provides about half of the water
that Santa Clarita Valley households and businesses use. It also owns two
of the four Valley water retailers, one of which is operated as a CLWA
subsidiary. CLWA supplements local groundwater supplies pumped by
the four water retailers with State Water Project (SWP) water from
northern California and other sources of imported water. CLWA also
provides recycled water.
CLWA’s imported water is treated and delivered to the Valley’s four local
water retailers: Los Angeles County Waterworks District #36; Newhall
County Water District; Santa Clarita Water Division, which is operated as
a separate enterprise fund of the Agency; and Valencia Water Company,
which is owned by CLWA and operates as a separate corporate entity. The
four retail purveyors serve a total of 72,156 connections.
In the coming year, approximately 34,750 acre-feet (AF) of supplemental
water will be delivered by the Agency. About half of the Santa Clarita
Valley’s water is produced by the four retailers from the local groundwater
supplies. The groundwater supplies in the Valley come from two sources:
the Alluvial Aquifer and the Saugus Formation. The Alluvial Aquifer
generally underlies the Santa Clara River and its several tributaries, to
maximum depths of about 200 feet; the Saugus Formation underlies
practically the entire Santa Clarita Valley, to depths of at least 2,000 feet.
The eleven-member governing Board is made up of two Directors from
each of the three elective divisions, three Directors elected at large, and
one Director appointed from each of two water retailers (Los Angeles
County Waterworks District #36 and Newhall County Water District).
The FY 2015/16 operating budget for the Castaic Lake Water Agency is
approximately $122 million with 70 employees (full-time and part-time).
Its four major revenue sources include water sales, facility capacity fees,
SWP ad valorem property taxes and one percent property tax revenues.
The Santa Clarita Water Division (SCWD) of the Agency operates a retail
water system serving most of the eastern part of the Valley and is
accounted for as a separate enterprise fund of the Agency. SCWD serves
over 29,000 connections in a service area of approximately 56 square
miles with a population of about 124,000. The FY 2015/16 operating
budget for SCWD is almost $27 million with 47 full-time employees.
The 2010 Urban Water Management Plan found that, based on water
supply and demand assumptions over 40 years, in combination with
conservation of non-essential demand during certain dry years and
additional investments in recycled water and water banking programs, the
Agency’s total projected water supplies will be sufficient to meet the
Agency’s projected water demands in the Agency’s service area through
the year 2050 when buildout of the Valley is projected to occur.
THE COMMUNITY
The other half of the Valley’s water is provided by CLWA from imported
water sources, primarily the State Water Project from Northern California.
CLWA’s SWP contract is for 95,200 AFY. CLWA takes delivery of SWP
and other imported water from Castaic Lake. The lake is a multiple use
reservoir that is the terminal point of the West Branch of the California
Aqueduct, and stores approximately 320,000 AF of water.
The Castaic Lake Water Agency is located in the northwestern portion of
Los Angeles County, approximately 35 miles from downtown Los Angeles.
The Agency’s wholesale service area has a population of approximately
280,000 and covers an area of about 195 square miles or 124,000 acres.
The majority of the service area is located in Los Angeles County,
encompassing most of the valley and adjacent hill country along the
Upper Santa Clara River. Approximately 20 square miles of the service
area extends into unincorporated rural portions of Ventura County. The
service area is a semi-arid region and includes the City of Santa Clarita,
plus surrounding unincorporated portions of Los Angeles and Ventura
counties. Communities in the unincorporated areas include Castaic,
Stevenson Ranch, Val Verde and Westridge.
The Agency owns and operates water conveyance pipelines and water
treatment facilities to supply water from the SWP and other sources to
the four retailers in its service areas. The Agency’s major facilities consist
The Agency’s service area is considered a premier community for raising
families and building businesses. The area is known for its attractive
residential neighborhoods, low crime rate and excellent schools.
CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY
Santa Clarita, CA
The Santa Clarita Valley is part of a comprehensive transportation network,
which includes three major freeways, a commuter rail system and access
to the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The three Metrolink commuter
rail stations in the Santa Clarita Valley carry over 2,000 passengers per day
to and from the San Fernando Valley and downtown Los Angeles. The City
also has nearly 96 miles of bicycle and pedestrian trails and considerable
open space areas.
There are a number of recreational and historical facilities located in the
Santa Clarita Valley, including Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park,
William S. Hart Ranch and Museum, and Mentryville (California’s first oil
boom town). The service area is adjacent to the Angeles National Forest,
and includes Castaic Lake, the Placerita Canyon Nature Center and
Vasquez Rocks County Park.
Also located in the Santa Clarita Valley are the College of the Canyons
Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, Canyon Theatre Guild, Disney
Studios, Master’s College, California Institute of the Arts, Santa Clarita
Repertory Theater, as well as the Friendly Valley, Valencia Country Club,
Robinson’s Ranch, Tournament Players Club and Vista Valencia golf
courses.
Managing staff and facility growth to keep up with the demand of
population growth in the service area.
Continuing to maintain a highly trained and motivated staff.
Managing and resolving litigation.
Addressing the impact of the current drought (e.g., mandatory water
conservation) and establishing a permanent water use efficiency ethic.
THE POSITION
The General Manager plans, organizes, coordinates and administers all
Agency functions and activities. He/She has overall responsibility for
policy development; water resources planning; fiscal management;
administration and operation of all Agency functions, programs and
activities; and for accomplishing the goals and objectives of the Agency
and implementing the policies of the Board of Directors. This is an at-will
position which is appointed by and reports to the Board of Directors.
Typical duties include, but are not limited to:
The City of Santa Clarita’s strong and diverse economy continues to
expand, making Santa Clarita the ideal destination for Southern California
businesses. Maintenance of a highly supportive environment for business
development is achieved through the cooperation of the local Chamber of
Commerce, Economic Development Corporation, Valley Industry
Association, and the City government. In addition, companies benefit
greatly from the area’s land and leasing opportunities, as well as from the
highly-skilled labor pool, variety of transportation choices, housing, quality
of life, climate and scenery. Santa Clarita continues to have one of the
lowest unemployment rates in Los Angeles County.
KEY CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Key challenges and opportunities facing the Castaic Lake Water Agency
include:
Plans, organizes, coordinates and directs, through staff, all activities to
support the Agency’s mission.
Develops and directs the implementation of the strategic plan, goals,
objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the Agency;
develops and implements long- and short-range water resource plans to
ensure an appropriate supply for contracting organizations.
Works closely with the Board of Directors, contracting organizations,
and appropriate federal and state agencies regarding the viability of
water supplies; advises the Board on issues and programs; prepares and
recommends specific long-range plans and action proposals to the
Board.
Makes interpretations in compliance with regulations, ordinances, codes
and applicable laws.
Maintaining a diverse water supply portfolio.
Increasing water storage capacity.
Supporting the activities needed to implement a single water resource
management agency for the Santa Clarita Valley.
Enhancing the Agency’s community outreach.
Financing additional infrastructure necessary for recycled water.
Directs the preparation and administration of the annual budget for the
Agency; coordinates the preparation and presentation of reports,
contracts and informational material.
Represents the Board and the Agency in contacts with governmental
agencies, community groups, and other business and professional
organizations.
Ensures that the Agency is in compliance with all contractual and legal
requirements regarding the quantity and quality of water provided to
purveyors.
Performs related duties, as assigned.
The position is open due to the forthcoming retirement of the current
General Manager, Dan Masnada, after over thirteen years with the Agency.
THE CANDIDATE
Education and Experience
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the
required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the
required knowledge and abilities would be through (1) at least seven years
of experience, at the management level, in the production, treatment and
distribution of potable water; and (2) the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree,
from an accredited college or university, with major course work in business
administration, public administration, engineering or a related field. A
master’s degree is highly desirable.
CASTAIC LAKE WATER AGENCY
Santa Clarita, CA
Develop and implement goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work
standards and internal controls.
Lead staff to a systematic change, when necessary.
Address sensitive issues.
Work within a diverse organizational structure.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Effectively operate a personal computer and software.
Candidates should have knowledge of groundwater and surface water
sources, knowledge of both wholesale and retail delivery, and an ability to
deal with environmental groups.
Direct experience working with an elected policy board or commission is
highly desirable.
Candidates from both public and investor-owned water agencies are
acceptable. California experience preferred, but candidates from other
areas will be considered.
The selected candidate will value outreach to the community (e.g., with
the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Clarita Valley
Economic Development Corporation, Building Industry Association of
Southern California, etc.).
The General Manager will serve as an effective advocate by promoting the
interests of the Agency with federal, state and local entities.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with Agency staff;
the Board of Directors; members of local, state and federal organizations;
and representatives of the community.
Management Style and Personal Traits
The selected candidate should be a strong leader who is decisive, politically
astute, willing to take reasonable risks, and has good negotiating and
interpersonal skills. He/She should provide holistic, visionary planning with
“outside of the box” thinking (e.g., integrated water resource management),
and should provide leadership with the process of integration of wholesale
and retail.
This person should come to the Board with thorough analyses, options and
recommendations, and keep the Board informed in a timely, complete and
accurate manner (no surprises). He/She should be responsive to the Board
with good follow through, and able to translate the Board’s vision into an
action plan. The ideal candidate will be a team builder who is collaborative,
approachable and not a micro-manager. Finally, this person should be
accessible and hands on, as well as honest, hardworking and energetic, and
have a sense of urgency.
Knowledge and Abilities
The selected candidate should have knowledge of engineering principles;
applicable laws and regulations affecting Agency administration; current
trends in leadership and management; and principles and practices of:
Long- and short-range goal setting.
Program and budget development and implementation.
Water resource management.
Supervision, including directing employees to achieve goals.
Conflict resolution.
COMPENSATION
The salary for this position is open and highly competitive, with hiring
dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected
candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: vacation,
holidays, sick leave and personal leave; choice of HMO and PPO medical
plans (can be waived for cash in lieu with proof of other coverage); Delta
Dental; Vision Services Plan; life insurance; medical FSA and dependent
care flex plans; AFLAC; Section 457 deferred compensation plan;
education assistance; PERS retirement plan (for Classic members, the
Agency pays both employee and employer contribution for 2% @ 55
formula; for new PEPRA members, the Agency pays 6.7% employer
contribution and employee pays 6.5% contribution for 2% @ 62 formula);
an automobile allowance; and a 9/80 work schedule.
Employee relations.
Project management.
HOW TO APPLY
Safety in the workplace.
Send resumes (email preferred) by August 31, 2015 to:
In addition, he/she should be able to:
Value and move engineering projects forward.
Listen and learn, and demonstrate an understanding and willingness to
assess and be flexible while utilizing experience and expertise to lead the
Agency.
ROBERTS CONSULTING GROUP INC
PO Box 16692
Beverly Hills, CA 90209
Phone: (818) 783-7752
Fax: (818) 783-6377
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.robertsrcg.com
Accurately analyze complex issues and use critical thinking to make sound,
independent judgments within general policy guidelines.
Equal Opportunity/ADA Employer
Plan, organize, administer and coordinate a variety of services and
programs, within a government structure, and ensure compliance with all
Agency codes and standards.
Additional information about Castaic Lake
Water Agency can be found at www.clwa.org.